Fluid distribution system



1943- c. GOTTWALD ETAL 2,330,966

FLUiD DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM Filed Sept; 18, 1959 s Sheets-Sheet 1 I B 4'4M ATTORNEYS Oct. 5, 1943. C, QTTWALD "Em 2,330,966

FLUID DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM Filed Sept. 18, 1939 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Oct. 5,1943. c. GOTTWALD ETAL 2,330,956

FLUID DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM Filed Sept. 18, 1939 I5 Sheets-Sheet 3 KMVMAO35 erases Oct.5, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,330,968 v u rwm ns'rnisu'rrou srsraiu Christian Gottwaid, Cleveland Heights, and 711- lim8. Mclieish, Barberton, Olii o, assignors to The Bic-wiL Company, acorporation of Ohio Application September is, 1939. Serial No. 298.390Claims. (01. 138-434) This invention relates to fluid distributionsystems, and is particularly applicable to such systems which are usedto distribute heated fluids such as steam, or cooled fluids such asrequired in refrigeration.

An object of our invention is to provide an improved apparatus fordistributing fluids.

A further object is to provide an improved fluid conducting conduit suchas an underground steam line, parts being broken away and showninsection;

apparatus for distributing fluids which may be easily installed.

Another object is to provide an improved apparatus for distributingfluids which will occupy relatively little space.

Another object is to provide. an improved apparatus for distributingfluids which will be composed of fewand simple parts.

Another object is to-provide an improved apparatus for distributingfluids in which the parts will be rugged and durable.

Another object is to provide an improved apparatus for distributingfluids wmhi will effectively prevent the transfer of heat:

Another object i to provide an improved apparatus for distributingfluids which will effectively protect the internal parts from moisture.

Another object is tal-provide an improved apparatus for distributingfluids in which one or more tubes or pipes may be contained.

Another object is to provide an improved apparatus for distributingfluids in which a minimum of labor is required for assembly at the siteof installation.

' and economical in operation.

Another object is to provide an improved apparatus for distributingfluids which may be easily and economically manufactured and installed.

Other objects will hereinafter appear.

The invention will be better understood from the descriptionbf severalpractical embodiments thereof, illustrated in the accompanying drawings,in which; R 1

Figure l is a fragmentary perspective view of a Figure 2 is a transversesectional view of the conduit of Fiilure 1;

Figure 3 is a longitudinal partially elevational Q and partiallysectional view taken on the line III-III of Figure 2 Figure 4 is a viewsimilar to Figure 2 of a modifled form of construction containing threefluid conducting tubes or pipes; i

Figure 5 la e fragmentary longitudinal sectional view taken on thelineV-V of Figure 4; 1

.Figure 6 is a perspective fragmentary view showing parts which appearin Figures and 5 in unassembled relation; i s

Figure 'l is a perspective view of a modified form of outer couplingmember;

Figure 8 'is a partially elevational and partially sectional view ofanother modified form of coupling' member;

Figures 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13 are perspective views showing successivesteps in assembling a conduitsuch as illustrated in Figures 1, 2, and 3;Figure 14 is a perspective view of parts of a modified type of assembly;

Figure 15 is a fragmentary plan view, partially in section, showing aportion of a completed conduit made of units, such as disclosed in thepre-' ceding flsures, where it is deslredto carry the conduit in anangular or somewhat off-set path Figure'lfi is a similar fragmentaryplan view, partially in section, showing an expansion bend composed ofunits such as illustrated in the fore- .s lnii flsures;

Figure 17 shows the juncture of the main and a branch conduit; and

Figure 181s a fragmentary sectional view of an embodiment of theinvention showing an .additional protective covering.

This invention is an improvement on, and a carrying forward of, ideasdisclosed in the patent to Christian Gottwald, Patent Number 1,991,455

issued February 19, 1935, which first disclosed that fluid conduits suchas those used in underground steam lines could effectively be formedwith an outer metal shell, rather than the ceramic or masonry structureswhich, for many years, had been the only means available for undergrounddistribution of fluids while providing them with thermal insulation.

In the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in Figures 1-3,the fluid distributing means is shown as consisting of an inner conduitformed of sections of pipe or tubing I. For

this P p se any desirable type of pipe or. tubing may be used. In someinstances it may be of steel, in others brass, cast iron, or othermetals.

It is found particularly convenient to use steel tubing havingrelatively thin walls, which may be seamless drawn tubing of the butt"orglap welded type. or spiral welded tubing.

Each section of tubing I is shown as surrounded by a generallyconcentric cover 2 of substantially greater diameter. than the piece oftubing, and terminating a slight distance, short of the endsof thetubing of the section. This casing or cover is held concentric with thetubing by means of spacers, oi which two forms \andhaving threeprojecting skid-like arms or flanges! which are slightly smaller indiameter than the smallest interior diameter of the cover, so that theymay readily slide therein. They extend axially a suflicient distance tobear upon at least two inwardly directed corrugationsvoi' the casing.

At each end of the casing is a ring shgwn as an outer portion of solidheat insulating material 5 and inner bearing ring of metal 6, fittingrelatively closely upon the exterior of the tube I, the ring 6 having anoutwardly extending flange 1 keyed within the material I. This solidmaterial may conveniently be a mixture of asbestos, Portland cement,solid magnesia, or any other desired material having the requisitestrength and heat insulating properties.

exterior of the block is formed with corrugations corresponding to thoseof the interior to thathndicated within the the projecting ends of thepipe sections may be surrounded'by molded pipe covering or the like.

After the sleeve has been lplaced-as indicated in Figure 8, sealingmaterial, such as asphalt or shown of metal, conveniently of cast iron,it will be apparent that rings of heat insulating material, similar tothe rings 5, but having an external surface which will slide within thecorrugations 2, may be provided; and will effectively prevent thetransfer of heat from the tube I to the casing 2 at these points.

of shell 2fso that the block may be positioned within the shell bythreading the same therein and rotating it, as a short screw would beinserted inn long nut.

The helical corrugations upon the block and within the shell function asthreads of relatively high lead to permit the easy insertion or removalof the block 0. I

Surrounding the tube I, and filling the shell 2 between the two endblocks 5 is aiayer of heat insulating material 8, such as shreddedasbestos, magnesia, mineral wool, or the like.

Each assembly consisting of a section 'of tube,

j its shell or casing, supports. and insulating material, constitutesa'complete unit, which may be easily fabricated at a point remote fromits installation, and may be easily handled and installed, as "indicatedin the above mentioned patent to Christian Gottwald.

A complete conduit is constructed by laying several units such as thoseabove described in alignment, and uniting the ends of tubes I as bywelding 8. Prior to this welding operation, a sleeve I0, shown as aplain piece of tubing, is slid 'over one of the shells adjacent thejoint and upon the completion of the welding or 0 erwise joining tubesI, the sleeve I0 is slid to the position indicated in Figure 3. wherebyit overlies at least two convolutions at the ends of both shells orcasings 2.

As thesleeve is being moved into position, the space within itand aboutthe ends of the pipes I is filled with insulating material II, similarSuch a ring could be provided with awearresisting surface on either (orboth) its interior and/or exterior, such as short pieces of tubing,rings bent of sheet metal, or the like.

when an all-metal spacer such as illustrated in Figure 3 is used, itwill be noted that the arms carrying the bearing flanges 4 are ofreduced cross section which greatly impedes the conduction of heat. Itwill also be noted that the areas of contact between the corrugations ofcasing 2 and the flanges 4 arge very small, further impeding anytransfer of heat.

In Figures 4} 5, and 6, a modification of the supporting block is shown,which is useful when a plurality of tubes are to be used instead of thesingle one of the first three figures.

Three tubes are indicated at I0I, Illa, and

IOIb.

A block of heat insulating material I0! is seated within the end of thecorrugated casing or cover I02. Within this is embedded a metal ringI08. Studs I08a are threaded into ring I00, and these are arranged tofit into notches in the periphery of the disc I01, provided with holesI0Ia, I0Ib, and i010. arranged to fit the exterior of the tubes IOI,IOIa, and I0") respectively.

Nuts I 06b serve to clamp the plate I01 to the ring I05. It will beapparent that the block I05 may be screwed into the corrugations of thecasing I02, and that the plate I01 may then be slid over the ends of thetubes without having to twist these aboutwithin the casing and the Thesleeve is arranged with-perforations 2I2 extending upwardly. and intothese the sealing material, such as the molten asphalt, may be poured,this material flowing around the corrugations of the sleeve and formingtwo thick rings, sealing the sleeves to the casing ends.

Figure 8 shows a still further modiflcation of the sleeve, this beingindicated as a cylindrical member 8I0, in each end of which is placed aformed or cast ring 3, having its outer end provided with a cylindricalrecess and being formed internally with a plurality of helically units.If desired.

a scess that first the ring s istplaced about the center of the tube l.Next, two somewhat flexible pieces of material i3, such as thin sheetmetal, are arranged to partially surround the tube. extendingsubstantially to the ring 8.

In the trough-like spaces so formed is placed the heat-insulatingmaterial 8; and the sheet metal members I! then are closed to form twocylinders of slightly smaller diameter than the internal dimensions ofthe casing 2.

The tube, heat insulating material, and sheet I metal holders 13 areslid axially into the casing 2, as indicated in Figure 11, untilthe'longitudinal center tube and casing coincide, when the holders I:are withdrawn as indicated in Figure 12, leaving the central supportingring and heat insulatingmaterial inside the casing.

Next, the plugs are slid over the ends of the tube I and threaded intothe ends of the casing to hold the heat insulating material as well asthe tube in place.

-. Of course, it will be apparent that the tube might be placed in thecasing first, and the heat insulating material packed in from the ends.

Also that the tube and casing might be placed vertically and the heatinsulating material poured in fromabove. Similarly, the heat insulatingmaterial might be placed around the tube, held in place by the sheetmetal holder members l3, arid this assembly lowered end-wise into thecasing. by

In Figure 14 an embodiment of the invention is illustrated in which thesheet metal holder 'members have been replaced by strips of flexiblesheet material, such, for instance, as felt roofing, roofing paper,orthe like, these being shown as sections 3, each of whicln is bent intocylindrical form and held staples 4.

Each section (as it is placed about the tube llll and the successivestrips may be stapled together.

in this position as by- J l of roofing material may be filledPreferably, the ends of successive strips are telescoped-the smallerends of each section heading in one direction, and the larger ones inthe other-so that the assembly may be more easily slid into the casing.I

With this embodiment of the invention,'it is intended that the holdercovering may remain permanently within the casing, and no'provision forits withdrawal is therefore made.

While I have described above shredded asbestos or similar looselyassociated heat insulating material, it will be apparent that solid ormolded heat insulated material such as magnesia or the like might beused. c

The sleeves shown for surrounding the Joints in the first few figuresare indicated as cylindrical. However, where itis desired to connectcasing members of diilferent diameters, as in connecting branch conduitsto a main, or for use in conjunction with expansion joints, or the like,tapered or frustro conical (rather than cylindrical) sleeves may ,beused, the two ends of the sleeves being adapted to fit different sizesof casihg section, I

' A few specimens of such arrangements ar illustrated in Figures 15, 16,and 17.

In Figure 15, the main tubing sections I are surrounded by the casings2, shown as axially To the end of each tube section IV adirection-changing fitting, such as a forty-five degree elbow "I, isunited.

The central portions of each elbow is enclosed in an elbow-shaped casingI02, the elbow itself being covered with heat insulating material "8,

' shown as of molded type secured ab'out the elbow in any desiredmanner.

A frusto-conical sleeve III! is provided, having its smaller endarranged to slide ver casing 2 and its larger end to slide over cas 502which is of somewhat larger diameter than the casing 2. The ends of thecasing are sealed to the sleeve, by

asphalt, cement or the like, as indicated atll2.

The two elbow sections are united by welding 509, and the Junctionbetween the casing sections 502 is closed by a cylindrical sleeve H0,similar in all respects to the sleeve l0 previously described.

In Figure 16 a generally U-shaped expansion bend is shown, thisconsisting'oi 90 degree elbows 80 l welded to the ends of tube I andconnected by perpendicularly extending tubes Bola, two more 90 degreeelbows, and two shorter pi es of tubing Slilb parallel the tube I. t

To permit the ready movement-of the parts of the expansion bend incompensating for expansion and contraction, a larger casing 802 isprovided about the tubes Bola than the casings sections 2.

Frusto-conical sleeves M0 are again used to join the smaller to thelarger casing sections and a larger diameter cylindrical sleeve Elnajoins the s nds of the casings 602.

Figure 17 shows a T-like fitting connecting a branch 'IOI to the main.conduit section I. The branch is surrounded by a casing section 102which is connected to a T-like casing section I03 by a sleeve Ulla, thearms of the T-like casing being connected by sleeves ill! to casingsections out that coatings for the protection of these may beconveniently provided, such, for instance as asphalt.

It-has been found that if the casing be wound with building paper, felt,or some other fibrous sheet material, while asphalt is provided insufficient quantities and a molten condition to fill the corrugationsand penetrate the fibrous material, a very durable and smooth coating isobtained.

The casing section of Figure 18 illustrates this form of covering,which, it will be readily understood, may be applied to any of thecasings illustrated in the other figures, and used with any of the typesof connecting sleeves.

The tube with the casing is illustrated at UM, J while the casing itselfis shownrat 802. The asphalt filling the corrugations is indicated at803 and an asphalt impregnated layer of felt is hown While we havedescribed the illustrated embodiments of our invention in someparticularly, obviously many others will readily occur to those skilledin this art, and we do not therefore limit ourselves to the precisedetails shown and ,described, but claim as our invention all embodi- 1.A prefabricated cpnduit unit comprising an inner fluid conducting tube.a helically corrugated casing surrounding said tube and spacedtherefrom, rings of heat insulating material having helically corrugatedexternal surfaces arranged to be threaded within the corrugations oi thecasing at its ends, said rings being provided with supporting surfacesior maintaining said tube in spaced relation, to the casing.

2; A conduit unit comprising a plurality of spaced parallel tubes, atubular casing surrounding said tubes and spaced therefrom, rings ofheat insulating material ntting within the ends or said casing, andbearing members detachably secured to said rings having guide meanssupporting said tubes in spaced relation to each other and to saidcasing.

3. A conduit unit comprising a plurality oi spaced parallel tubes. atubular casing surround ing said tubes and spaced therefrom, rings oiheat insulating material fitting within the ends of said 25 ingscomprising wear-resisting casing, and bearing members detachably securedto said rings having guide means supporting said tubes in spacedrelation to each other and to said casing, and heat insulating materialin the spaces 7 between and about the tubes and within the casing.

4. ll conduit unit comprising a plurality of spaced parallel tubes, atubular casing surrounding said tubes and spaced therefrom, rings ofheat insulating material fitting within the ends or said 5 casing, andbearing members each comprising a 6. A conduit unit comprising an innerfluid conducting tube, an outer sheet metal casing 01' helicallycorrugated sheet material surrounding said tube and spaced therefrom,rings of heat insulating material having external helical corrugationsthreaded into the corrugations or the casing and bearings carried bysaid rings supporting said tube in spaced relation to the casin saidbearnently fixed to the rings.

CHRISTIAN GOTTWALD. WILLIAM S. MCLEISH.

porting said tube in spaced relation to the casing.

shoes perma-

